1. Specifications Comparison
Design & Build
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | S21+ is slightly shorter and thinner, potentially more pocketable. Nova 12i is a bit taller and thicker. |
| Weight | 200g | 199g | Virtually identical weight; neither will feel significantly heavier. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown | S21+ offers significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both phones have identical screen sizes, offering the same viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2388 | Both have very similar sharpness; a difference that's practically invisible to the naked eye. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 391 PPI | Both have very similar pixel density and visual clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency, especially with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Data missing, likely typical LCD brightness) | S21+ display will be much more legible in bright sunlight due to its higher peak brightness. Nova 12i's brightness is not specified, so its performance in sunlight is uncertain. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | S21+ has a significantly more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 289,000 | S21+ offers dramatically better performance in benchmarks, reflecting a much more capable device for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | S21+ features a much more powerful GPU, providing better graphics for gaming and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.67", 0.64µm | Nova 12i has much higher resolution for capturing more detail. S21+ has a wider aperture for better low light performance and larger pixels for more light capture per pixel. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | S21+ has dedicated telephoto zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without digital degradation. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | None | S21+ offers a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing more in the frame. |
| Depth Sensor | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova 12i can capture depth information, potentially improving portrait mode performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | S21+ has a slightly higher resolution front camera. Nova 12i has a wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | S21+ can capture far higher resolution and smoother video. |
| DXOMark | Overall 111, Photo 118, Video 89 | Not Tested | S21+ has a tested camera performance that indicates a good camera quality compared to phones in the market, while the Nova 12i lacks an independent testing score. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | Nova 12i has a slightly larger battery which might translate to marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 40W fast charging | Nova 12i charges faster allowing shorter charging times. |
| Features | Wireless Charging (15W), Reverse Wireless Charging (4.5W), No charge in-box | None | S21+ offers versatile charging options including wireless and reverse wireless, but doesn't include charger in the box. Nova 12i only has wired charging and no charger in-box. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness offers significantly better visual experience, especially in sunlight.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset delivers much better performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes telephoto and wide-angle lenses, offering more creative shooting options and video capabilities up to 8K.
- Advanced Features: Offers features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and better audio quality.
- Better Build Quality: Offers superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
Practical Implications: Better user experience, better image quality, better multitasking, and more protection for the screen.
Huawei nova 12i Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger capacity provides potentially better battery life.
- Faster Charging: 40W charging allows for quicker top-ups.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Captures more detail with 108MP main sensor.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: offers a more advanced, convenient and faster biometric unlock.
- Potentially more affordable: given it's a newer mid range model.
Practical Implications: Longer usage time on a single charge, faster charging, higher resolution in main sensor captures more detail, convenient and advanced security.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Lower main camera resolution, potentially shorter battery life, and does not include a charger in-box.
- Nova 12i: Inferior display, significantly lower performance, lacks telephoto or wide-angle camera, slower video recording, slower fingerprint sensor and lacks features like wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Ideal Users
- Power Users: Those who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need versatile camera options and high-quality video capabilities.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who prioritize a vibrant and smooth display for watching videos and browsing.
- Users who prioritize a seamless experience: Those who value fluid animations and responsiveness, alongside a quality user experience.
Use Cases: Gaming, professional photography/videography, video streaming, running demanding apps, work-related tasks, and outdoor usage.
Huawei nova 12i: Ideal Users
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users looking for an affordable option with a large screen and decent battery life.
- Casual Users: People who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing social media.
- Users who value battery life over performance: Those who need a long lasting battery life and prioritize it above all.
- Users who value a higher resolution sensor: Those who want high quality pictures and want to be able to crop a photo and maintain detail.
Use Cases: Social media browsing, basic productivity tasks, media consumption, calls, messaging, and users who prefer a larger screen and longer battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is performance for you? If you play games or use demanding apps, the S21+ is a better choice. If you mostly do basic tasks, the Nova 12i is sufficient.
- How much do you value display quality? If you want vibrant colors and good sunlight legibility, the S21+ is superior. If these aspects are not critical, the Nova 12i is acceptable.
- How important is camera versatility? If you need telephoto and wide-angle capabilities, and professional grade video quality, the S21+ is the better option. If you just need basic photos and a very high res sensor the Nova 12i could be sufficient.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming & High Performance: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its powerful processor and superior graphics.
- Basic Usage & Affordability: Choose the Huawei nova 12i for its large battery, fast charging and lower price.
- Multimedia Consumption: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its vibrant AMOLED display, high refresh rate, and superior audio.
- Photography & Videography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its versatile camera system and high quality video capturing capabilities, while also having a camera testing score.
Final Choice
Given my preferences, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Reasons:
- Display Quality: The superior AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate is a significant advantage for my daily usage, making every interaction more enjoyable.
- Performance: I prioritize smooth performance and the Exynos 2100 provides that, giving me the ability to play graphically intensive games without issues.
- Camera Versatility: The wide-angle and telephoto lenses, along with the superior video capabilities, are essential for my photography and videography needs.
- Additional Features: I appreciate the inclusion of wireless and reverse wireless charging, which provide added convenience.
- Longevity: The superior chipset will ensure the phone stays usable for longer.
While the Huawei nova 12i has the advantage of a slightly larger battery and faster charging, these are not as critical for me as the display quality and performance of the S21+. I'm willing to give up some battery life and a quicker charge for a more enjoyable and powerful overall experience. The lack of independent testing on the Huawei, as well as the lack of information on certain key features, such as the screen protection or display brightness, make the S21+ a safer choice as its specifications are known.
